Michigan State Police come under heavy criticism for buying electric Mustang Mach-E

Authorities say the Mustang Mach-E is suitable for safety officers who drive fewer miles than the average soldier, but many locals slammed it on social media

Michigan State Police added a shiny new 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E to their force, sparking heated debate among locals. While state police departments have been gradually incorporating electric vehicles into their operations, this particular purchase has some Michiganders outraged. Not surprisingly, social media has become a battleground, with critics calling the move everything from a “waste of taxpayers’ money” to evidence of a so-called “woke agenda.”

According to local forces, the Mustang Mach-E will be used by national security operations. Apparently, uniformed state property security officers who specialize in “general law enforcement and security services at state-owned and leased facilities in the Lansing area” will be driving around in electric vehicles. Many locals may never see a Mach-E on the road.

More: NYPD Sends Slammer Gas Bills with Fleet of Electric Mustang Mach-E GT Police Cars

But that didn’t stop them from venting their frustrations about the purchase in the comments section of a Michigan State Police post on Facebook. “Makes no sense. Waste of taxpayers’ money,” one local wrote. Another person was particularly frustrated, saying the MSP thought it had an endless supply of funds.

People call it “disposable” and “woke”

“Why are they knowingly using our tax dollars to buy junk cars, especially when the battery itself costs over $15,000? Oh yeah, because they think we have a steady stream of funds to give them repairs or replacements.” 1 One commenter suggested that “for every dollar spent on electric vehicles, a dollar should be taken out of regular funds.”

Another also had a blistering rebuke of police leadership. “Sadly, the national leadership and the agency’s top ‘leaders’ have abandoned great service and instead pushed a destructive woke agenda. So sad. Command staff are selected based on political agenda, not merit or ability ”

Police protect electric cars

Michigan State Police Superintendent Col. James F. Grady II said the Mustang Mach-E will be suitable for security officers because they are “in city limits and at lower speeds” and travel more miles than regular police officers less. There is also extensive charging infrastructure in downtown Lansing.

This Mach-E could be the first of many electric cars. Precision Driving Force commander Lieutenant Nicholas Darlington said they would evaluate the cost savings from the Fords to see if there was “wider applicability” to other electric vehicles in our fleet.